The Biggest Issue With Purebred German Shepherd Dog, And How You Can Solve It
The Purebred German Shepherd Dog
The GSD is the perfect balance of agility and strength. Its exceptional training ability and natural protective instincts make them cherished family dogs.
If you are in search of a purebred German Shepherd dog, choose breeders who prioritize the health of their dogs and follow ethical breeding. Requesting pedigree papers as well as previous health clearances will help you identify reputable breeders.
Characteristics
German Shepherds are smart, powerful dogs that are easy to train. They are incredibly loyal to their family members and are fearless guardians of them. The breed standard states that the GSD must be stable of temperament, self assured and courageous. It should also be obedient and willing to be obedient.
The breed is medium-sized with a slight elongation and is muscular. It has a distinct double coat, which is comprised of a hard outer layer and an undercoat that is soft. The almond-shaped eyes of the dog are dark and obliquely set. Its ears are wide and pointed at the base. When the dog is resting in a shady position, the tail is large and bushy. It is a little below the hocks. The dog's long, slightly sloping neck is distinctive. The chest is broad and deep. The ribs are strong and the spine is solid.
In general, the breed is sound however, serious issues include roached backs as well as long pasterns that interfere with correct movement. The hindquarters of the dog should be strong, but not excessively exaggerated. The rear leg should not go forward of the point where the forefoot makes an impression.
As working dogs, GSDs naturally have high-energy drives. These are behaviors and needs that involve territorial protection and hunting of prey. When these high drives aren't fulfilled through work or play and it leads to aggressive behavior. Show-type German Shepherds are bred in a manner which helps to reduce these drives, but they still require a lot of positive reinforcement training, physical exercise and mental stimulation to live a healthy lifestyle.
GSDs are generally cautious and suspicious of strangers initially. This trait of protection makes them great guard dogs and requires appropriate training to avoid overreactions. They make wonderful family pets when socialized properly at a young age and they're generally great with children.
The GSD is resilient to illnesses and has a high threshold for pain, however certain health conditions can negatively impact the quality of life. These include seizures and epilepsy and bleeding disorders as well as immune-mediated diseases. Taking precautions such as limiting the dog's exposure UV rays and ensuring that regular vaccinations are given to the dog will reduce the risk of developing these diseases.
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to learn. They are also capable of training. They are a working dog breed that excels at many jobs, such as police work, herding, and search and rescue. They also excel at detection of explosives and drugs, and guiding blind people. They are also great pet for families. This powerful and confident breed requires a clear purpose as well as the attention and focus of a shrewd owner to channel their strength and energy positively. They require plenty of exercise and room, and may not be a good fit for smaller living spaces.
The ideal German Shepherd is well-balanced and confident, with a strong and stable temperament. They are loyal, vigilant and sceptical of strangers. This protective and watchful behavior can escalate into aggression when not properly trained, socialized, and supervised. These dogs are very intelligent and can be self-sufficient and easily bored, so they need an outlet that can satisfy their curiosity.
The founder Max von Stephanitz used herding and farm dogs, as well as longhaired and shorthaired German Shepherds, in his breeding program to create the kind of dog that was obedient and responsive that we have today. He did not agree with those who wanted German Shepherds to be a showpiece, and he made sure his dogs had stable temperaments and strong herding instincts and sound body structure. He even refused to breed certain dogs that had unstable temperaments or sharp angles in their croups as well as rear and front pasterns because he believed that these characteristics could hamper the breed's ability to perform its work.
German Shepherds can also be prone to cancers. Hemangiosarcoma is the most common cancer that affects the spleen and liver, organs with heightened blood supply. They also can develop lung, bone or intestinal cancers.
You can prevent these diseases by ensuring the physical health of your German Shepherd. This includes giving him a balanced diet and regular exercise. Make sure that he has plenty of opportunities to run and play outside in a secure area free of traffic and other hazards. Keep him looking neat by brushing his dense double coat on a regular basis and using a de-shedding device or undercoat rake to remove hairs that have fallen off. You should also make sure that you take him to the veterinarian regularly for routine health check-ups.
Health
German Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they do have some health issues. They are prone to ear infections and may develop conditions that affect their eyes and ears like degenerative amyelopathy. Both male and female dogs are susceptible to suffering from hereditary von Willebrand disease, a genetic condition that limits their ability to clot the blood.
GSDs are a working breed and consequently, they are subject to intense training. This means that they can develop joint problems. A common one is hip dysplasia. It is characterized by a lack of growth and development of the cartilage and joint, leading to lameness, pain, and other symptoms. This is not a serious condition, but it can be painful for the dog.
Breeders who are reputable X-ray their dogs and utilize the results to make breeding decisions. The x-rays help determine the health and genetic background of the puppy, which includes the likelihood to develop dysplasia. Dogs who are at a high likelihood of developing the disorder are not breed.
Panosteitis can be a problem for German Shepherds. The condition causes the bones to grow rapidly and unevenly. This can result in stiffness and pain. This condition is more prevalent in German Shepherd puppies or dogs younger than 18 months who are experiencing a rapid growth spurt.
They require a diet that is high in protein, as well as a large amount of omega fatty acids and balanced vitamins to help maintain a healthy skin and coat. Dogs with arthritis can benefit from food that has joint support, like chondroitin or glucosamine. Dogs younger than 18 months age should have moderate exercise including multiple walks and, if they are compatible with another dog, playing together, but they should not be allowed to run at full speed as this can damage growing joints.
Table food or animal bones should be avoided, since they can trigger vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and pancreatitis. Puppies and adult dogs could benefit from a probiotic supplementation to help with digestion, and from digestive enzyme supplements to aid with breaking down proteins. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not required, as a well-formulated AAFCO-approved diet should supply the appropriate amount of these nutrients.
Training
German Shepherds are highly-trainable, biddable dogs that thrive under a skilled trainer's guidance. altdeutscher schäferhund kaufen Süßer Deutscher Schäferhund makes them ideal for military and police work in search and rescue and therapy dog roles, and a myriad of other specialized roles. But their inexplicably loyal nature makes them a great pet to have when properly trained and socialized.
Socialization is the first step to raising a well adjusted GSD. Introduce your puppy to a variety of people and other animals from a young age, taking them on frequent walks, playing games, and going to local dog parks. This will make them feel more confident and comfortable and teach them to trust people at an early age.
It takes patience, consistency as well as positive reinforcement to train to train a German shepherd. Avoid methods of negative reinforcement such as yelling, or physical punishment, which can lead to fear based aggression. Use clicker training and rewards-based training to teach your German Shepherd the basic commands.
It is also essential to provide your German Shepherd with a daily dose of enrichment. Mental stimulation exercises can be just as important as physical exercises for an GSD particularly in a hectic or busy household. This can help them remain focused and less likely to be distracted by sounds or storms or other dogs in the park, or crowds during competitions or public events.
Some health conditions that are unique to German Shepherds are hemangiosarcoma, cancer of the bones, lungs, and intestinal tract, and pannus (superficial keratitis). All of these conditions can be prevented by responsible breeding and lifestyle changes.
German Shepherds are loving family dogs, despite their reputation as being fearsome. They are generally friendly with children and gentle with smaller pets, like cats, if they are they are exposed to them from an early age. They are powerful guardians due to their size and strength however, they must be monitored when around young children. If they're not sufficiently exposed to socialization and training and are not properly socialized, they could exhibit signs of aggression. It is recommended that you enroll your German Shepherd in a puppy class in the preschool or obedience to ensure they receive the training and socialization they need to flourish.